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Let me just say, I'm not new to recording but I'm very new to Logic, and still slowly learning my way around the interface. I'm in the process of recording a song, it's got 2 guitar tracks and one bass track as of right now. I'm trying to use one of Logic's Built-In Instruments for the Bass Guitar track. When I play back what I've done so far, the Bass is almost inaudible compared to the Guitars... the track levels on the Guitar are fine. I think it's an issue with the built-in instrument from Logic... is there a parameter I'm missing that could be causing this?

The bass level looks a little low on the meter... it peaks about 3/4 of the way to 0, but nothing like the way it sounds. It automatically adds compression to the virtual instrument. I'm at a loss on how to fix this. Help would be much appreciated.

Comments

natural Sun, 02/14/2010 - 15:15

There's a million variables. I'm assuming that you've been through the manuals and nothing has worked.

What happens when you remove the compressor?
What is the master output set to?
IF you mute the guitars can you get to a normal bass level?
What's the interface? How are you getting sound out of Logic?
Computer monitors or studio monitors?

Your obviously missing something, but you have not provided any info as to what you have ruled out. So really, it can be anything or a combination of things anywhere along the signal path.

What instrument are you using to create the bass?
Have you tried other instruments? Really, anything to test, piano, synth etc.
Do All other instruments that you've tried play back fine, or are they also low?

I think it's really just a basic trouble shooting hunt. THere's nothing that's obvious from your post nor a common problem with Logic that I could point to.

Are there any buses involved?
Could the guitars be just too loud?

realmike15 Sun, 02/14/2010 - 15:39

natural, post: 299891 wrote: There's a million variables. I'm assuming that you've been through the manuals and nothing has worked.

What happens when you remove the compressor?
What is the master output set to?
IF you mute the guitars can you get to a normal bass level?
What's the interface? How are you getting sound out of Logic?
Computer monitors or studio monitors?

Your obviously missing something, but you have not provided any info as to what you have ruled out. So really, it can be anything or a combination of things anywhere along the signal path.

What instrument are you using to create the bass?
Have you tried other instruments? Really, anything to test, piano, synth etc.
Do All other instruments that you've tried play back fine, or are they also low?

I think it's really just a basic trouble shooting hunt. THere's nothing that's obvious from your post nor a common problem with Logic that I could point to.

Are there any buses involved?
Could the guitars be just too loud?

Removing the compressor just makes it quieter
Master Output is at 0.0
No, as I tried to explain. The guitars are at a normal level, fader on the one is all the way down at -10.
Interface is an Onyx 400F
Computer Speakers and Laptop Speakers. I have monitors but I'm not using them, this is just a rough draft. It's a little clearer in the Computer Speakers because it has a Subwoofer, but still not sounding the way it should.

I'm using the "Session Bass". I have no tried other Basses, but none of them give the sound I'm looking for. The guitars are not too loud, they're where they should be in the mix... if I brought them down anymore it would make the entire mix too quiet.

The fact that the bass is not even audible on my laptop speakers is a problem. I'm not expecting to get punchy bass like I do from my monitors or computer speakers... but you can't even tell it's there.

I'm not sure what other information I can give, I was hoping there was something in the settings for the "Session Bass" that would fix this, but I've been unable to find anything

natural Sun, 02/14/2010 - 16:30

OK - I assume that you're using Session Bass within the EXS24. I just pulled this up and put it on one of my tracks. It comes up in the EXS24 defaulting with the filter all the way open and the volume up to 0db.
It seems to play at an ok level with the channel fader at about -3db. It is a little unruly, so I put a compressor on it, which smoothes it out fairly nicely. and mixes at a decent level within a moderately dense track.

Now, we're not trying to necessarily find the sound you want yet, just cking to see that everythings working the way it should. If the other basses (try liverpool bass for instance- or switch to a synth bass as an experiment) sound at an ok level, then it's probably just that patch doesn't play nice with your system. And as you said, perhaps a little eq could make it happier with your room.
If you've called up the EXS24 as a stereo channel, try switching it to mono. I don't know that it would change much, but it might make the bass slightly more focused in the center.

As far as setting within the EXS24, if you're familiar with samplers in general, you should be able to figure your way around the filters etc. The EXS24 has a few other features, and so I would refer you back to the manual which explains each parameter in detail much better than anyone here could. (So why write it twice right?)

I don't believe that there's anything system wise that would help.

If it turns out that it's just that particular patch, you can try adding one of the Bass Amp simulators to get a little more live feel , in which you can add a little beefyness to the sound.
Hope this helps,

Good luck

realmike15 Mon, 02/15/2010 - 07:19

natural, post: 299894 wrote: OK - I assume that you're using Session Bass within the EXS24. I just pulled this up and put it on one of my tracks. It comes up in the EXS24 defaulting with the filter all the way open and the volume up to 0db.
It seems to play at an ok level with the channel fader at about -3db. It is a little unruly, so I put a compressor on it, which smoothes it out fairly nicely. and mixes at a decent level within a moderately dense track.

Now, we're not trying to necessarily find the sound you want yet, just cking to see that everythings working the way it should. If the other basses (try liverpool bass for instance- or switch to a synth bass as an experiment) sound at an ok level, then it's probably just that patch doesn't play nice with your system. And as you said, perhaps a little eq could make it happier with your room.
If you've called up the EXS24 as a stereo channel, try switching it to mono. I don't know that it would change much, but it might make the bass slightly more focused in the center.

As far as setting within the EXS24, if you're familiar with samplers in general, you should be able to figure your way around the filters etc. The EXS24 has a few other features, and so I would refer you back to the manual which explains each parameter in detail much better than anyone here could. (So why write it twice right?)

I don't believe that there's anything system wise that would help.

If it turns out that it's just that particular patch, you can try adding one of the Bass Amp simulators to get a little more live feel , in which you can add a little beefyness to the sound.
Hope this helps,

Good luck

Thanks Natural,
I wasn't a fan of the Liverpool at first (I listened to it alone), but after I added it to the mix... it stands out more than the Session Bass, which is exactly what I need for this particular song. I guess I gotta learn the controls of the Session Bass to get what I want out of it, it was hard to tell it was even in the mix before. Appreciate all your help, I guess this is all just part of the Logic learning process.